BOSC Mid-Cycle Review
ORD LAND RESEARCH PROGRAM
Ground Water Research
Robert Puls, Director of Research
David Jewett, Chief,
Subsurface Remediation Branch
NRMRL, Ground Water & Ecosystems
Restoration Division, Ada, OK
April 24, 2008
DNAPL Source Remediation
• Research and Technical Support Activities
• Laboratory and field investigations of DNAPL source
zone treatment and partial source removal (SERDP
project)
• Field studies of methods to improve DNAPL source
characterization and to evaluate plume response (newly
funded SERDP project)
• Critical review and evaluation of mass flux field
measurement techniques
• Technical assistance to Ft Lewis EGDY, Hill AFB,
SAGES
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Control
DNAPL Source Remediation z
Plane
• Impacts –Better methods to assess y
DNAPL sites x
• Partial DNAPL source removal benefits assessed
• Mass flux measurement techniques evaluated and improved
• Flux-based site management strategies developed
DNAPL Contaminant
Source Plume
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Source Intermediate Boundary
Control Plane Control Plane Control Plane
DNAPL Source Remediation
Outputs – Publications
Remediation Evaluation Model for Chlorinated Solvents (REMChlor)
Software and User’s Manual (EPA/600/C08/001)
Changes in Contaminant Mass Discharge from DNAPL Source Mass
Depletion: Evaluation at Two Field Sites (J. Cont. Hydrol., in
review)
Rapid and Continuous Determination of High Vapor Phase
Concentrations of Tetrachloroethylene Using On-Line Mass
Spectrometry (Analytical Chem., 2007)
A Modified Light Transmission Visualization Method for DNAPL
Saturation Measurements in 2-D Models (Adv. in Wat. Res., 2007)
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DNAPL Source Remediation
• Outputs (cont.) - Publications (cont.)
Measuring Contaminant Mass Discharge Reduction from DNAPL
Source Mass Depletion (Wat. Resour. Res., 2006)
Measurement and Use of Contaminant Flux for Performance
Assessment of DNAPL Remediation. In Remediation of Hazardous
Waste in the Subsurface: Bridging Flask and Field (ACS Symposium
Series 940, 2006)
• Platform and Poster Presentations
American Geophysical Union; Western Pacific Geophysical Meeting;
SERDP/ESTCP Symposium; 2nd International Conference on DNAPL
Characterization & Remediation; 5th International Conference on
Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds
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DNAPL Source Remediation
• Outputs (cont.) - Workshops and Training
Flux-Based Site Management, TRIAD National Conference,
Amherst, MA, June 2008
Flux-Based Methods for DNAPL Remediation Design and
Assessment, OSWER/OSRTI, Washington, DC, September 2007
Flux-Based Site Management, EPA Ground Water Forum, Las
Vegas, NV, November 2007
• Clients/collaborators
• OSWER/OSRTI
• Regional and State environmental regulators
• DOD
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In-Situ Chemical Oxidation & Thermal Treatment
• Research and Technical Support Activities
• Laboratory investigations of fundamental mechanisms
involved in oxidation and reduction transformations
during in-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO)
• Identification and manipulation of environmental
conditions to minimize undesirable reactions contributing
to process inefficiency and to facilitate favorable
transformation reactions
• Field demonstration and validation of peroxygen-based
ISCO (new SERDP/ESTCP project)
• Technical support to most Regions on technical
feasibility, process optimization, and performance
7 monitoring of ISCO and Thermal systems
In-Situ Chemical Oxidation & Thermal Treatment
• Impacts – Improved application of technology and
accelerated site closure
• Improved overall ISCO project quality (through technical support
in the development of workplans, monitoring plans, and
performance evaluation)
• Greater understanding and confidence in results from field-scale
studies allowing more informed decisions to be made
• Potential for accelerated ISCO remediation time frames and site
closures
• Outputs - Publications
Iron Optimization for Fenton-Driven Oxidation of MTBE-Spent Granular
Activated Carbon (Environ. Sci. Technol., 2007)
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In-Situ Chemical Oxidation – Engineering Issue Paper (EPA/600/R-
06/072)
In-Situ Chemical Oxidation & Thermal Treatment
• Outputs (cont.) - Publications (cont.)
Effects of thermal treatment on the chemical reactivity of
Trichloroethylene (EPA/600/R-07/091)
In-Place Regeneration of GAC using Fenton’s Reagents, In
Innovative Approaches for the Remediation of Subsurface-
Contaminated Hazardous Waste Sites: Bridging Flask and Field
Scales (ACS Symposium Series 940, 2006)
Fenton-Driven Chemical Regeneration of MTBE-Spent Granular
Activated Carbon (Wat. Res.,2005)
Repeated Reductive and Oxidative Treatments on Granular
Activated Carbon (J. Environ. Eng., 2005)
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In-Situ Chemical Oxidation & Thermal Treatment
• Outputs (cont.) - Workshops and Training
In-Situ Chemical Oxidation, Taiwan Environmental Protection
Administration, Taipei, Taiwan, December 2007
Feasibility Study – Oxidant Selection and Delivery Approaches,
ISCO Lab and Field Tests, ISCO Technology Practices Workshop,
Colorado School of Mines, March 2007
Turning the Tide on DNAPL: In-Situ Chemical Oxidation, National
Assoc. of Remedial Project Managers, Baltimore, MD, May 2007
• Clients/collaborators
• OSWER/OSRTI
• Regional and State environmental regulators
• DOD, DOE
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Permeable Reactive Barriers
• Research and Technical Support Activities
• Laboratory and field based studies of geochemical,
hydrogeological, and microbiological factors influencing
the performance of PRBs
• PRB strategies for long-term performance monitoring for
treatment of inorganic and organic contaminants in
ground water
• Use of organic-based media PRBs to remediate ground
water contamination
• Technical assistance at numerous sites, including the
Columbia Nitrogen and USCG-Elizabeth City sites (Reg.
4); Delatte Metals (Reg. 6), ASARCO-East Helena and
11 Denver Federal Center (Reg. 8)
Permeable Reactive Barriers
• Impacts – Improved
understanding of PRB
systems and reduced costs
• Enhanced understanding of the role microbiological and abiotic
reactions play in PRB applications
• Improved understanding of PRB life cycles
• Increased efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the design of
PRB technologies and monitoring
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Permeable Reactive Barriers
• Outputs – Publications
Removal of Added Nitrate in the Single, Binary, and Ternary
Systems of Cotton Burr Compost, Zerovalent Iron, and Sediment
(Chemosphere, 2007)
Trichloroethylene Removal from Ground Water in Flow-through
Columns Simulating a PRB Constructed with Plant Mulch (Environ.
Sci. & Tech., 2007)
Remediation of TCE-Contaminated Groundwater by a Permeable
Reactive Barrier Filled with Plant Mulch (Biowall). (Journal of
Environmental Science and Health Part A, 2008)
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Permeable Reactive Barriers
• Outputs – Publications (cont.)
Zero-valent Iron PRB Application Expands to Arsenic Removal (Tech.
News and Trends, 2005)
Chromium Removal Processes during Groundwater Remediation by a
Zerovalent Iron Permeable Reactive Barrier (Environ. Sci. & Tech.,
2005)
• Platform and Poster Presentations
Geological Society of America; Soil Science Society of America;
Remedial Technologies Development Forum; 18th World Congress of
Soil Science; 2nd International Conference on DNAPL Characterization
& Remediation; 5th International Conference on Remediation of
14 Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds
Permeable Reactive Barriers
• Outputs (cont.)
• Workshops and Training
PCE/TCE Degradation Using Mulch Biowalls, Region 6 In-Situ
Bioremediation Symposium, Baton Rouge, LA, August 2007
Field Scale Evaluation of Treatment of TCE in a Biowall, AFCEE
Enhanced In-Situ Bioremediation Workshop, Brooks AFB, TX, April
2007
• Clients/collaborators
• OSWER/OSRTI
• Regional and State environmental regulators
• DOD
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MNA of Inorganic Contaminants
• Research and Technical Support Activities
• Field and laboratory research on the attenuation of inorganic
contaminants (metals, radionuclides, nitrate, etc.) in ground
water and sediments
• Well-head arsenic remediation for public
water supplies
• Technical assistance provided to
numerous RPMs, including
Industriplex and Ft Devens R1,
Quanta Resources R2,
Los Alamos R6, East Helena R8,
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Yerington Mine R9, and Idaho National Lab (Region 10)
MNA of Inorganic Contaminants
• Impacts – Reduced costs and common framework for
site assessments
• Natural attenuation strategies implemented for inorganic
contaminants at hazardous waste sites (for example, MNA
strategy at Industriplex Site saved Region 1 over $13 million)
• Provided framework document on MNA of inorganic
contaminants developed with OSWER, OAR
• Outputs - Publications
Monitored Natural Attenuation of Inorganic Contaminants in Ground
Water: Volume 1, Technical Basis for Assessment (EPA/600/R07/139)
and Volume 2, Specific Inorganic Contaminants (EPA/600/R07/140)
Monitored natural attenuation forum: MNA of metals and
radionuclides (Remediation, 18 (1); 121-129, 2007)
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MNA of Inorganic Contaminants
• Outputs (cont.) - Publications (cont.)
Metal attenuation processes at mining sites, EPA Ground Water
Issue Paper (EPA/600/R-07/092)
Structural dynamics of metal partitioning to mineral surfaces. In
Natural Attenuation of Trace Element Availability in Soils (2007,
SETAC Press: Pensacola, FL, pp. 73-88.)
Field Study of the Fate of Arsenic, Lead, and Zinc at the Ground-
Water/Surface-Water Interface (EPA/600/R-05/161)
• Platform and Poster Presentations
American Chemical Society; Geological Society of America; Soil
Science Society of America; Federal Remediation Technologies
Roundtable; 2nd International Conference on Environmental
Science and Technology
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MNA of Inorganic Contaminants
• Outputs (cont.)
• Workshops
MNA of Inorganic Contaminants in Ground Water Workshop (held
during 2006-2007 in Regions 1, 4, 5, and 8)
Workshop on Natural Attenuation as Remediation for Contaminated
Sites (Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration, Taipei,
Taiwan, October 2006)
• Clients/collaborators
• OSWER/OSRTI
• Regional, State, and Tribal environmental regulators
• DOD, DOE, NIEHS
19 • Community coalitions and action teams
MNA of Organic
Contaminants
• Research and Technical Support Activities
• Determine contribution of abiotic processes to degrade
chlorinated solvents in ground water
• Develop tools to predict the rate and extent of non-biological
transformations of chlorinated solvents
• Technical assistance provided to numerous RPMs, including
L&D Landfill (Reg. 2), Maryland Sand, Gravel & Stone (Reg.
3), Paducah GDP (Reg. 4), Bendix/Bosch (Reg. 5), French
Limited and North Railroad Avenue (Reg. 6), McCormick &
20 Baxter (Reg. 9)
MNA of Organic Contaminants
• Impacts – Improved understanding of basic processes
• Greater understanding of biotic and abiotic processes
contributing to natural attenuation of organic compounds
• Outputs - Publications
Evaluation of the Role of Dehalococcoides Organisms in the Natural
Attenuation of Chlorinated Ethylenes in Ground Water (EPA/600/R-
06/029)
Relationship between Geochemical Parameters and the Occurrence
of Dehalococcoides DNA in Contaminated Aquifers (Wat. Resour.
Res., 2006)
Relationship between Dehalococcoides DNA in Ground Water and
Rates of Reductive Dechlorination at Field Scale. (Water Research,
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2006)
MNA of Organic Contaminants
• Outputs (cont.)
• Workshops and Training Courses
Bioremediation at Wood-Preserving Sites, Region 6 In-Situ
Bioremediation Symposium, Baton Rouge, LA, August 2007
What every RPM should consider before selecting In-Situ
Enhanced Bioremediation, Region 6 In-Situ Bioremediation
Workshop, Dallas, TX, October 2007
Application of Fate and Transport Modeling to the Remedial
Decision Making Process: Getting the Rate Constants to Calibrate
a Model, WV DEP Workshop, September 2006
Conceptual Basis for Natural Attenuation as Remediation Approach
Workshop, Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration, Taipei,
Taiwan, October 2006
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MNA of Organic Contaminants
• Outputs (cont.)
• Platform and poster presentations
Society for Industrial Microbiology; NGWA Conference on
Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Organic Chemicals in Ground Water:
Prevention, Assessment, and Remediation; 5th International
Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant
Compounds; 9th International Symposium on In Situ an On-Site
Bioremediation
• Clients/collaborators
• OSWER/OSRTI
• Regional, State, and Tribal environmental regulators
• DOD, DOE
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Emerging Research - Nanotechnology
• Research Activities
• Laboratory and field-based studies on the treatment of source
zone chlorinated solvents using emulsified zero-valent iron
(EZVI) nanoparticles (OSWER pilot project)
• Identification of mechanisms for formation of corrosion products
of injected EZVI and evaluation of dechlorination pathways
(biotic versus abiotic)
• Evaluation of long-term performance of EZVI to reduce
contaminant mass in DNAPL source zone
• Anticipated Impacts
• Development of novel approach to DNAPL source zone
remediation
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• Increased understanding of mechanisms influencing
nanoparticle fate & transport in subsurface systems
Emerging Research - Nanotechnology
• Outputs
• Platform and Poster Presentations
Field Evaluation of the Treatment of DNAPL using Emulsified
Zero-valent Iron, 2nd International Conference on DNAPL:
Characterization and Remediation, Niagara Falls, NY,
September 2007
• Clients/collaborators
• OSWER
• DOD, DOE, NASA
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Emerging Research – In-Situ Chemical Reduction
• Research Activities
• Laboratory studies to evaluate mechanisms and potential
benefits of treating chromium waste with a chemical reductant
• Field investigation/feasibility study of using a ferrous sulfate-
sodium dithionite solution to treat chromium contamination
• Impacts
• Development of an innovative remedial technology for treating
chromium waste and dissolved-phase Cr(VI) in ground water
• Reduction in risk to human health and the environment and
significant cost savings (> $1M) at Macalloy Superfund Site
(Reg. 4)
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Emerging Research – In-Situ Chemical Reduction
• Outputs
• Publications
In situ chemical reduction of Cr(VI) in groundwater using a combination
of ferrous sulfate and sodium dithionite: A field investigation (Environ.
Sci. Technol., 2007)
In situ treatment of a Cr(VI) ground water plume using a ferrous iron-
based reactive zone (J. Environ. Eng., in review)
• Patent
A method of treating a subsurface formation with ferrous iron to reduce
contaminants to harmless species (U.S. Patent # 7,166,228 B2)
• Clients/collaborators
• OSWER
27 • Regional environmental regulators
Questions ?
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